CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Grooming => Topic started by: marbledmolly on September 11, 2008, 09:19:25 AM
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At training last night I heard people moaning about all the rain recently and saying that it was a nightmare because they can't take the dogs out :-\ It's never crossed my mind that our dogs wouldn't not go out because it was raining. This particularly Afghan last night was FULL of pent up energy and clearly needed a good run around. I could just visualise that doing a wall of death around your lounge like a cocker :rofl1: . I can understand with all the pre-show grooming that is needed for certain dogs it would mean extra work, but not taking them out to me was so alien :shades: I don't know if this is common practice or just this woman.
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Isn't it part of the responsibility of pet-ownership to give the dogs what they need even if it doesn't quite fit in with our comfort and convenience?
If you don't want to walk a dog, get a goldfish instead!
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Oh i couldn't not walk my two - they'd be dememted - I'd be demented....
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Our show dogs go out whatever the weather - they love the rain :005: I have to dry them carefully and they're groomed thoroughly every day to stop matts forming but they definitely go out rain or shine ;) The only exception is the day before a show - once they're bathed and trimmed, they won't be allowed to get soaking wet and muddy so exercise will be confined to pavement/concrete - no digging holes or jumping in muddy puddles :005: You can also get those all-in-one trousersuits to keep show dogs dry so there's no excuse for not taking them out really.
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Was it the owners who didn't like the rain or the dogs? My cocker happily goes out in all weather, but my Vizsla hates the rain. If I dare to take him out skulks along with his tail between his legs and ears down. He even side steps puddles/mud :005: Having said that, I do not show my dogs.
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Was it the owners who didn't like the rain or the dogs? My cocker happily goes out in all weather, but my Vizsla hates the rain. If I dare to take him out skulks along with his tail between his legs and ears down. He even side steps puddles/mud :005: Having said that, I do not show my dogs.
Ah see what you mean! :lol2: Yep I have the same issue with Normy and Dave... Dave doesn't care she HATES it :005: But I don't show either, although Janes approach sounds a lot better!
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Was it the owners who didn't like the rain or the dogs?
My impression was that it was the owner who didn't wan't the extra grooming because the dog would get dirty ph34r
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I've heard this before. Someone at a cocker show said that they didnt walk their dogs for four days before a show so that the coat stayed clean.... >:(
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I've heard this before. Someone at a cocker show said that they didnt walk their dogs for four days before a show so that the coat stayed clean.... >:(
That's crazy! Surely they would be bathed the night before so it wouldnt matter how dirty they got before then! Some people! ::)
We see a lady walking her 5 red setters and I presume she shows as sometimes they have the all in one suits on! :luv:
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Heidi looked lovely after she went back to Sarah's for a trim and her first "proper" show and have to admit that OH would happily have kept her wrapped up in doors never to get dirty again ph34r
Meanwhile, back in reality the next day she was up to her neck in muck ;)
Don't think i could stand not getting them out
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Mine have a set routine,rain or shine :blink: they especially enjoy the rain as they :luv: big muddy puddles.
What a shame poor dogs :'( mine would go mental or maybe I would with their behaviour :-\
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I remember a fabulous post by Top Barks that suddenly released me from my own *guilt* made me realise how obsessed I had become:
I am sorry but although the dog owning public of the UK believe it to be gospel there is no law that you must take your dog for a walk every single day although you do need to stimulate and spend quality time with them everyday.
I don't walk my dogs every day....although because I enjoy it, I do tend to have a routine that involves daily walks ;) Some of the recent one-to-one training we have been doing with Bonnee involves *homework* that has replaced our daily walks, though...... ph34r
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I have a working cocker that would be bouncing off the walls if he didn't have a walk as WELL as stimulation and quality time.
I don't call that obsession :shades: I call that part of my dog ownership responsibilities of having this breed and strain of dog :blink:
The only time he has never been for at least 1 walk a day was when he was ill at the vets......
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While it may be that a dog doesn't need to be walked every single day, it would need regular walks, and shouldn't be denied them just because it is raining.... I doubt the owners who are worried about the show coat getting wet are going to be doing lots of clicker training to wear out their dogs... :-\ I am constantly amazed at the number of dog owners who stress about their dogs getting the tiniest bit muddy... ::)
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I have a working cocker that would be bouncing off the walls if he didn't have a walk as WELL as stimulation and quality time.
I don't call that obsession :shades: I call that part of my dog ownership responsibilities of having this breed and strain of dog :blink:
I agree Helen - you have a selectively bred working cocker ;)
My "obsession" was based around that fact that I believed that HAD to walk my dog every day - even though he didn't enjoy it that much - because imo, that was the done thing by dog owners :shades:
It took Marks comment that I have quoted for me to realise that actually, all dogs are different, and my dog didn't bounce off the walls if I didn't traipse around the streets with him as long as he was offered a range of stimulation and exercise ;) That might include setting up weaves in the kitchen as well as other games and activities to keep him thinking ;) Bonnee needs a different sort and level of stimulation to Molo - she is far clever :005:
I am not suggesting that dogs are not walked for weeks at a time; but a successful show dog will inevitiably receive significant levels of stimulation and training in order to perform at their best in the ring, and so if they don't go out the day before the show in order to keep their coat clean, then I don't see how that can be considered irresponsible :-\
I know of loads of dogs who get walked the same route, on lead, every day at the same time, with no interaction with their owners; just because a dog is walked every day, doesn't mean that they are stimulated :-\
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I have a working cocker that would be bouncing off the walls if he didn't have a walk as WELL as stimulation and quality time.
I don't call that obsession :shades: I call that part of my dog ownership responsibilities of having this breed and strain of dog :blink:
I agree Helen - you have a selectively bred working cocker ;)
My "obsession" was based around that fact that I believed that HAD to walk my dog every day - even though he didn't enjoy it that much - because imo, that was the done thing by dog owners :shades:
It took Marks comment that I have quoted for me to realise that actually, all dogs are different, and my dog didn't bounce off the walls if I didn't traipse around the streets with him as long as he was offered a range of stimulation and exercise ;) That might include setting up weaves in the kitchen as well as other games and activities to keep him thinking ;) Bonnee needs a different sort and level of stimulation to Molo - she is far clever :005:
Jarvis is no worker, but i know that he does get stressed by not having a walk, no matter what training i do with him. :-\ With his recent injury which resulted in no walks for 2 weeks i actually witnessed him becoming depressed :o and that was with constant company and clicker training. We do have the odd day where he won't get walked, if i am ill for instance, or if there is really really heavy rain which is too nasty to walk in, but no matter what i do, for him nothing compares to getting out in the big wide world. ;)
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Ours get walked at least once more often than not twice a day plus we have a big garden for them to run around in. I have been having problems with Tinkers coat because i take her over the fields and she gets muddy and wet she wears the coat away on the back of her front legs - they look awful at the moment - moth eaten - not great for showing but what can I do - she needs to go out ::) I have just ordered a hand made all in one waterproof coat so hoping this will help :-\
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I know of loads of dogs who get walked the same route, on lead, every day at the same time, with no interaction with their owners; just because a dog is walked every day, doesn't mean that they are stimulated :-\
I must say i never thought of it like that! That is so very true!
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I agree that not every dog needs the same stimulation but I still think its ridiculous not walking dogs for days before a show just because of their coats and I bet some of them dont get as much alternative stimulation as they should.
My dogs are not walked every day but its just not possible with my job. However, I think 4 hours of play in a quarter acre field with half a dozen other dogs is equal to an hours walk in terms of exercise but perhaps not in mental stimulation. They get one or two weekday walks after work but I would rather be able to do that every day for practising recall and just for socialisation with strangers and unknown dogs. They are more than happy with the sitution though, its just me that feels a bit guilty as I just believe that dogs need and should be allowed walks every day (aside from ill days etc).
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poo breath believes theres a contract somewhere guarenteeing him two walks a day and woe betide me if he doesnt get them, its right up there with the sin of not giving him any of the guinea pigs veg of an evening. :lol:
The only time he has been happy to go with less is when i had a really bad chest infection and he didnt hassle me once to take him out. :luv:
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poo breath believes theres a contract somewhere guarenteeing him two walks a day and woe betide me if he doesnt get them, its right up there with the sin of not giving him any of the guinea pigs veg of an evening. :lol:
The only time he has been happy to go with less is when i had a really bad chest infection and he didnt hassle me once to take him out. :luv:
Jarv sez 'right on poo breath' :rofl1: :rofl1:
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I think its all just a matter of commen sense regarding if you're ill, the dog won't enjoy it or its the day before a show etc. But to not take your dog out as its been raining is just pathetic >:(, especially in Britain - poor Millie would only get a couple of walks a year if I did that :lol2:
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I have a working cocker that would be bouncing off the walls if he didn't have a walk as WELL as stimulation and quality time.
I don't call that obsession :shades: I call that part of my dog ownership responsibilities of having this breed and strain of dog :blink:
The only time he has never been for at least 1 walk a day was when he was ill at the vets......
Mine are the same, there's no training I could do with them at home that would use up their energy sufficiently to mean that they didn't want to go out. I tried it once out of interest when I just had Alfie and Tilly; I did a load of obedience stuff, seeking games around the house and played with them in the garden and afterwards they were still bouncing around the house jumping on the furniture play wrestling, barking and rarring at each other and every time I even looked like I was about to stand up they started running to the door and back in case I was taking them out. Which I did because I genuinely do believe that they need free running physical exercise every day and I would feel guilty if they didn't get it; it nearly killed me keeping Rodaidh in his crate for 8 weeks and although we had no choice and he coped well he was far from a happy boy at the time. I probably am obsessed by the amount of exercise they get but I live with them and I know the difference in them if they don't get it.
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I've heard this before. Someone at a cocker show said that they didn't walk their dogs for four days before a show so that the coat stayed clean.... >:(
Four days ::) We are showing Sunday and mine have been over the fields today and spent several hours in our large garden playing with each other and me :blink: Mine will be bathed Friday night after being exercised and trimmed Saturday. They will still be exercised Saturday but not over the muddy fields ;)
Between shows our dogs live a normal doggy life and mid week look nothing like they do at weekend shows :005:
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Well I've not walked a working dog because of the summer. ph34r
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I think its all just a matter of commen sense regarding if you're ill, the dog won't enjoy it or its the day before a show etc. But to not take your dog out as its been raining is just pathetic >:(, especially in Britain - poor Millie would only get a couple of walks a year if I did that :lol2:
:005: tis very true......I've got to admit i have real issue with Laney and the rain............SHE HATES IT...just sits there and you have to drag her....so i try and generally take her back after a couple of mins as you can image she was not impressed on our holiday.....The chatsworth show on sunday threw it down and she was sodden......Gundog my a**e! ph34r
Well I've not walked a working dog because of the summer. ph34r
:005: :005:
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Between shows our dogs live a normal doggy life and mid week look nothing like they do at weekend shows :005:
I agree Tracey. :D
Would I be embarrassed for you all to see mine right now, they certainly don't look like show dogs but they look like happy pets. :luv: :shades:
As for letting them get wet when they shouldn't, oh no wouldn't happen. :005:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/Eaglesfan/Florence/Out%20And%20About/Florence%20Visits%20Marley/FlorenceVisitsMarley019.jpg)
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its just me that feels a bit guilty as I just believe that dogs need and should be allowed walks every day
That's why I'm so grateful to Mark (Top Barks) - I used to feel the same way, but I have so much respect for him and his methods, that my opinion changed ;)
Of course, if experience shows that without a daily walk, an individual dog suffers, then it is the responsibility of the owner to give them what they need - but all dogs are different, and the traditional "two walks a day" approach is not the only option for all dogs, at all times ;)
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Mine... 99.9% of the time are walked twice a day...very rarely they are walked once a day...but i do it for me as well as the dogs...mostly because i enjoy it but also i don't want to be stuck in 24 hours a day and i think we all 3 appreciate the change of scenery ...although Biba would probably languish in bed all day if it was up to her ph34r
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Would I be embarrassed for you all to see mine right now, they certainly don't look like show dogs but they look like happy pets. :luv: :shades:
As for letting them get wet when they shouldn't, oh no wouldn't happen. :005:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v260/Eaglesfan/Florence/Out%20And%20About/Florence%20Visits%20Marley/FlorenceVisitsMarley019.jpg)
:005: :005:
I think mine just love the change of scenery above all else
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Plus the millions and millions of different scents ...mine are heads down and off they go and if they find some fox poo well you can just imagine... :005:
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I have been having problems with Tinkers coat because i take her over the fields and she gets muddy and wet she wears the coat away on the back of her front legs - they look awful at the moment - moth eaten - not great for showing but what can I do - she needs to go out ::)
We used to have this problem with Seeing Stars - in some of her early pics, it looked like the rats had been nibbling at her leg hair :005: I solved it by brushing a little coat oil into her feathers every few days, more often when it was wet (washed out before a show of course). Might be worth a try for Tinker?
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Plus the millions and millions of different scents ...mine are heads down and off they go and if they find some fox poo well you can just imagine... :005:
Can someone tell me what fox poo is or take a photo of some ph34r :005: Iv never seen it or smelt it? We do have foxes around because we hear them in the night!
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Plus the millions and millions of different scents ...mine are heads down and off they go and if they find some fox poo well you can just imagine... :005:
Can someone tell me what fox poo is or take a photo of some ph34r :005: Iv never seen it or smelt it? We do have foxes around because we hear them in the night!
When you smell it you will know believe me. :005:
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Plus the millions and millions of different scents ...mine are heads down and off they go and if they find some fox poo well you can just imagine... :005:
Can someone tell me what fox poo is or take a photo of some ph34r :005: Iv never seen it or smelt it? We do have foxes around because we hear them in the night!
When you smell it you will know believe me. :005:
Does it have a pooy smell? Are they like pellets or proper poo? Just so i know what to look for? ph34r
Sorry but im curious! :lol2:
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Plus the millions and millions of different scents ...mine are heads down and off they go and if they find some fox poo well you can just imagine... :005:
Can someone tell me what fox poo is or take a photo of some ph34r :005: Iv never seen it or smelt it? We do have foxes around because we hear them in the night!
When you smell it you will know believe me. :005:
Does it have a pooy smell? Are they like pellets or proper poo? Just so i know what to look for? ph34r
Sorry but im curious! :lol2:
ph34r
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1070/576749625_638e164f84.jpg
:005:
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Plus the millions and millions of different scents ...mine are heads down and off they go and if they find some fox poo well you can just imagine... :005:
Can someone tell me what fox poo is or take a photo of some ph34r :005: Iv never seen it or smelt it? We do have foxes around because we hear them in the night!
When you smell it you will know believe me. :005:
Does it have a pooy smell? Are they like pellets or proper poo? Just so i know what to look for? ph34r
Sorry but im curious! :lol2:
ph34r
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1070/576749625_638e164f84.jpg
:005:
:005: :005: :005:
Is there a reason dogs roll in it?
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Plus the millions and millions of different scents ...mine are heads down and off they go and if they find some fox poo well you can just imagine... :005:
Can someone tell me what fox poo is or take a photo of some ph34r :005: Iv never seen it or smelt it? We do have foxes around because we hear them in the night!
When you smell it you will know believe me. :005:
Does it have a pooy smell? Are they like pellets or proper poo? Just so i know what to look for? ph34r
Sorry but im curious! :lol2:
ph34r
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1070/576749625_638e164f84.jpg
:005:
:005: :005: :005:
Is there a reason dogs roll in it?
Cause it stinks!
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Plus the millions and millions of different scents ...mine are heads down and off they go and if they find some fox poo well you can just imagine... :005:
Can someone tell me what fox poo is or take a photo of some ph34r :005: Iv never seen it or smelt it? We do have foxes around because we hear them in the night!
When you smell it you will know believe me. :005:
Does it have a pooy smell? Are they like pellets or proper poo? Just so i know what to look for? ph34r
Sorry but im curious! :lol2:
ph34r
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1070/576749625_638e164f84.jpg
:005:
:005: :005: :005:
Is there a reason dogs roll in it?
Cause it stinks!
It gets a reaction from their owners ::)
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(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/ROYALDEAN/beach1.jpg)
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/ROYALDEAN/beach2.jpg)
The show teams day off! nothing that a good bath wont put right!
Michelle
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:005: :005: Look at those two go. :luv: :005:
I can vouch that Michelle's little uns certainly are not restricted from having fun, didn't they come to ringcraft that night with half of Formby beach with them Michelle. :lol2: Was it the same weekend little Hannah qualified for Crufts? :luv:
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Fab pics :D
I may be deluded but I would have thought that part of the judging process includes the form of the dog - surely a lovely fit healthy dog with a great coat would stand more of a chance than a cooped up unfit dog with a nice hairdo?
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great photo :lol2: looks like they are having great fun & so they should.
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Fab pics :D
I may be deluded but I would have thought that part of the judging process includes the form of the dog - surely a lovely fit healthy dog with a great coat would stand more of a chance than a cooped up unfit dog with a nice hairdo?
No you're right Helen, as naturally a dog that is fit and healthy with good muscle tone is going to move much better than one with 'chicken fillet' muscle.
As for rolling in fox poo, I believe it is a trait inherited from eons ago when dogs hunted for their food. By rolling in the muck it masked their own scent, and made them smell more of the surrounding enviroment, and so would enable them to get closer to their prey before being detected.
Florence - I will feed you, you don't need to do this. ::) :lol2:
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We used to have this problem with Seeing Stars - in some of her early pics, it looked like the rats had been nibbling at her leg hair I solved it by brushing a little coat oil into her feathers every few days, more often when it was wet (washed out before a show of course). Might be worth a try for Tinker?
Thanks Jane I will give that a try - any particular type of coat oil? Her mum was exactly the same, her coat is very fine and soft and damages easily. I thought at first she had been chewing it but I spoke to a few people at the shows and they said no it's where it's been worn away. My next idea was to clip it in the hope it would grown back through thicker :-\
I give her Yumega aswell but I was wondering if this is going to make the coat softer and more prone to damage? I know terrier people don't like to give their dogs oil eg evening primrose etc as they want the coat to be harsh and not soft. :huh:
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We used to have this problem with Seeing Stars - in some of her early pics, it looked like the rats had been nibbling at her leg hair I solved it by brushing a little coat oil into her feathers every few days, more often when it was wet (washed out before a show of course). Might be worth a try for Tinker?
Thanks Jane I will give that a try - any particular type of coat oil? Her mum was exactly the same, her coat is very fine and soft and damages easily. I thought at first she had been chewing it but I spoke to a few people at the shows and they said no it's where it's been worn away. My next idea was to clip it in the hope it would grown back through thicker :-\
I give her Yumega aswell but I was wondering if this is going to make the coat softer and more prone to damage? I know terrier people don't like to give their dogs oil eg evening primrose etc as they want the coat to be harsh and not soft. :huh:
What oil would you recommend as Rosie's coat also is very fine and whispery, also prone to breaking.
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................synthetic carpet will also pull the coat out, I had the same problem with mooster looking a bit moth eaten & it took me ages to work out what it was >:( The synthetic carpet fibres have microscopic barbs which cling on to the hair so when the dog gets up theres a bit of 'stripping' going on ph34r
Since she has been laying on a 100% wool rug her coat has improved 10 fold! Just means I need wool rugs in all her favourite snoozing areas - it will cost a fortune :005:
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Thanks Jane I will give that a try - any particular type of coat oil? Her mum was exactly the same, her coat is very fine and soft and damages easily. I thought at first she had been chewing it but I spoke to a few people at the shows and they said no it's where it's been worn away. My next idea was to clip it in the hope it would grown back through thicker :-\
I give her Yumega aswell but I was wondering if this is going to make the coat softer and more prone to damage? I know terrier people don't like to give their dogs oil eg evening primrose etc as they want the coat to be harsh and not soft. :huh:
I use Shaws Coat Oil - cheap and cheerful :D Have tried more expensive "dressings" and oils but always come back to good old Shaws.
I also give salmon oil to all our dogs & haven't found it makes the coat more prone to damage so far - I blame the British weather mainly :005:
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Thanks Jane :D
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My dogs are out in all weathers every day. Don't show that much, but when I do as soon as we get back from the show we are back out again same day running through the muddy fields.